Two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members have died during an anti-illegal mining operation at an abandoned mine in west Johannesburg.
The SANDF confirmed on Friday that the soldiers lost their lives while participating in Operation Prosper, an operation targeting illegal mining activities.
According to the military, the incident occurred at about 6am at the abandoned CRD Mine when SANDF members spotted suspected illegal miners emerging from underground.
The soldiers pursued the suspects into a tunnel, where the two members tragically fell into an open, abandoned vertical mine shaft.
Specialised emergency response teams, including Mine Rescue Services and disaster management personnel, were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Despite rescue efforts, the recovery operation ended with the bodies of both soldiers being retrieved.
The SANDF said the process of formally identifying the deceased and informing their next of kin is underway.
Their identities will only be released once their families have been notified.
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga, Secretary for Defence Bereng Mthimkhulu and SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya extended their condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the fallen soldiers.
“The South African National Defence Force regrets to confirm the loss of life of two of its members during an anti-illegal mining operation under Operation Prosper,” the SANDF said in a statement.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are expected to form part of further investigations.
